Train Mode: Kickr Resistance and Power from different devices

[Mike]

I've started using Train Mode recently and its awesome!

I have a setup issue I can't quite workout. The kickr reads ~20w higher than my powermeter so I wanted to use my power meter for power readings while still controlling the kickr through the FE-C channel. 

I tried to do this 2 different ways but each time GC doesn't read any power.

1) setting up a new device with the Kickr on fe-c channel and the power meter for power, manually by entering my power meter ant ID followed by a p in the text line (605209p) on the 2nd page of the setup

2) setting up a separate device which is just reading power and then selecting 2 devices ( this double device method works as I have my HR monitor on a different device) 

I have also noticed that when I have the kickr on and my power meter on, GC will select 1 of the 2 devices, and not let me choose which one to use, is this normal? Am I doing something incorrect during setup? I have had to overcome this by turning off the kickr, and pairing my power meter, then turning on the kickr and pairing that.

As a work around I have used erg files and set my FTP 30w lower than it is so the power as read by my garmin is correct.

Thanks,

Mike

(sorry if this ends up being a double post, I tried to post earlier but don't see it)

[Mike]

An update here:

I was able to read the power from my powertap pedals and have the kickr still set the resistance however the power was still reading 20w lower than what the goal power was for that segment. The goal wattage would say 300, and the 30 second average power was reading as 280.

I read some articles on sages, swift and trainerroad forums regarding similar issues:

https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/203131639-Control-Wahoo-KICKR-resistance-with-Stages-Power-Meter

http://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/204631294-PowerMatch-Using-Power-Meters-with-Electronic-Trainers

http://support.stagescycling.com/en/support/solutions/articles/1000216386-using-your-stages-power-meter-with-a-smart-trainer#pairing

Next steps I think I will try to setup the kickr to take power directly from my power meter, but checking on the android version of the software, I didn't see that. 

[Mark Liversedge]

There are two features missing from GC that would help:

1. Select a specific ANT+ device for telemetry of a specific type (we only support for device type, i.e. ANT, Computrainer today)

    https://github.com/GoldenCheetah/GoldenCheetah/issues/974

2. "Powermatch" to take power from a device (see above!) and use it to adjust resistance on a smart trainer (e.g. Computrainer, Kickr etc) 

    https://github.com/GoldenCheetah/GoldenCheetah/issues/1789

Neither are likely to be developed in the short term.

Mark

[Mike]

Hi Mark,

I think either point would solve my issue. Thanks for the info!

Just to complete the loop here in case anyone else has the same issue, I have just set my CP power to 20w higher so that in train mode I can still hit the right power. I'm also recording my ride on a garmin so that training data is consistent with road data.

Thanks,

Mike

[Christian Wiedmann]

Have you tried using the KICKR's built-in ANT+ Power Meter Control option? This option implements the power matching in the KICKR itself. I've tried it once or twice and it seems to mostly work although it does tend to drift a little.

You can set the ANT+ ID that the KICKR should adjust to using the Wahoo Fitness app in the device settings.

    -Christian

[Mike]

Hi Christian,

Great idea, I did try this running the android version of the app but I couldn't see those settings. Thinking about it, I was connected to the kickr via bluetooth on my phone so I'll try again in ANT+ mode.

Thanks,

Mike